Bobbin feed for donning mechanism



April 25, 1967 H. HAAGSMA ETAL 3,315,453

BOBBIN FEED FOR DCNNING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 17, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS HERMAN HAAG-SMA JOHN A.Queu\u A TTORNE Y April 25, 1967 H. HAAGSMA ETAL BOBBIN FEED FOR DONNING MECHANISM Filed Aug. l7, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS HERMAN HAAGsMA BY JQHN A.CLJG=-II\H A TTORNE Y United States Patent 3,315,453 BOBBIN FEED FOR DONNING MECHANISM Herman Haagsma, Whifiusville, and John A. Cugini, Hopedale, Mass., assignors to Draper Corporation, Hopedale, Mass., a corporation of Maine Filed Aug. 17, 1964, Ser. No. 390,001 3 Claims. (Cl. 57-53) The present invention relates to a mechanism for impaling empty bobbins on spindles of spinning frames, twisters, or the like and, more particularly, to a feeding means for advancing said bobbins to a donning position.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a bobbin feeding means adapted to function in conjunction with a bobbin donning mechanism.

A further object is to provide a feeding means that is effective in continually urging the bobbins to donning position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bobbin feeding means which during its intended function will urge and maintain a constant force of pressure on the bobbins in the direction of their impaling position.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide a bobbin feeding means which through its ability to provide a continuous means of urging the bobbins to donning position is effective in increasing substantially the number of bobbins impaled per unit of time over and above the known forms of bobbin feeding devices.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed disclosure.

The instant invention is applicable to a dofling and donning machine such as that disclosed in United States Patent No. 3,077,725 and reference is hereby made to this patent for a detailed description of the general aspects of construction and operation of said machine.

The donning mechanism of this machine utilizes a selfcontained bobbin reservoir and one previously employed form of moving the empty bobbins therein to the donning position depended wholly upon the force of gravity to advance each individual bobbin to said donning position where it is impaled upon its respective spindle.

An improved means of advancing the bobbins within the reservoir is disclosed in United States Patent No. 3,121,988. This means functions in conjunction with the donning mechanism and includes a pivotable spring biased pawl member that is caused to swing rearwardly away from the spindles being doffed and donned during the actual impaling of a bobbing to engage a bobbin within the reservoir. The 'return of the donning mechanisms linkage to its initial position after impaling a bobbin causes the pawl member to swing forwardly urging the next bobbin to that position to be donned on its respective spindle. This motion is automatically repeated after the donning of each successive bobbin and although this positive feeding means is a decided improvement over the first-mentioned means of depending on gravity to advance each individual bobbin, it leaves more to be desired with regards to increased donning speed and the accuracy with which this mechanism is caused to function at a faster rate of speed.

The bobbin feeding device according to the instant invention is provided with a means for continually urging the bobbins within the reservoir toward their impaling position and increases substantially the number of bobbins that may be donned per unit of time over and above the known devices of the prior art.

Applicants device utilizes a bobbin feed wheel that rotates continuously while the donning mechanism is in operation. This feed wheel is supported at one end of a pivotable feeder arm, the latter of which is spring biased in the direction of the bobbins in the reservoir. The feed Wheel is disposed at an angle perpendicular to the axis of the bobbins within the reservoir with which it is caused to make contact and by means of pulley members and a driving belt interconnecting the donning mechanism and said feed wheel, the latter rotates continuously while said donning mechanism is performing its intended function. A portion of the outer periphery of the feed wheel being in contact with the barrel portion of the bobbins and said feed wheel being caused to rotate in a clockwise direction as seen looking from the top thereof produces a constant force against the bobbins in the reservoir urging them downwardly and toward donning position.

The invention will be described in detail by reference to specific embodiments thereof one of which is illustrated in the accompanying figures of drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the donning apparatus showing the mechanism according to the invention applied thereto;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus and mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view on an enlarged scale and partially in section of the ratchet clutch disposed at the lower portion of the donning mechanism as seen looking in the direction of the indicating arrows 33 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the spring means utilized to provide a biasing force for urging the feed wheel and support therefor in the direction of the bobbins within the reservoir as seen looking in the direction of indicating arrows 4-4 in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the figures of drawing, enough of a donning mechanism has been illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 to serve as a basis for a detailed description of the invention applied thereto.

The donning mechanism generally indicated by numeral 10 is supported by vertically disposed plate members 11 and 12 which are movable in a lateral direction to place said donning mechanism in either an operating or inactive position, all of which is well known to those conversant in the art. The mechanism includes a vertically disposed shaft member 13 which is rotatably supported in aligned bearing brackets 14 and 15 adjacent each end of said shaft. Bearing bracket 14 supports and guides the upper portion of shaft 13 and is attached to plate members 11 and 12 by means of cap screws 16 and 17. Bearing bracket 15 supports and guides the lower portion of shaft 13 and is attached to plate member 12 by means of bolts 18 and 19.

A bobbin butt guiding bracket generally indicated by numeral 20 assembles on the lower and forward side of plate member 11 by means of cap screws 21 and 22 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The upper portion of this guiding bracket is provided with a horizontally disposed and integrally formed plate-like surface 23 which is situated in close proximity with shaft 13 and curved in a manner to be concentric therewith. A guiding side wall 24 extends upwardly from the outer edge of the plate-like surface 23 and, being curved to conform to the configuration of the latter surface, the combination of both define a channel for guiding the lower or butt portion of a bobbin 25 to that position depicted in FIG. 1 directly above a spindle 26 on which it is impaled in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. The upper or tip portion of the bobbins 25 are guided by an arcuated guide strip 27 one end of which is attached by any suitable means to the plate member 11 and as at 28 (FIG. 2) and extending therefrom, the remaining portion curves in a manner to be concentric with shaft 13 and in general alignment with the guiding side wall 24 of the butt guiding bracket 20.

A fan-shaped bobbin reservoir generally indicated by numeral 29 is attached to plate member 11 rearwardly 3 of the donning mechanism and the lower portion thereof is contiguous with, or in other words, abuts the butt guiding bracket120 to form a continuous surface over which the butts of the bobbins must advance before reaching the donning position. A plurality of empty bobbins '25 are adapted to be received into the reservoir 29 and are urged by a means to be described to donning position and are impaled by a further meansto be described on a row of spindles 26 (one only shown in FIG. 1) supported by a spinning frame, twister, or the like.

' A pair of aligned star wheels 30 and 31 are fixedly attached to shaft 13 and being rotatable therewith are so disposed as to be instrumental in advancing the bobbins individually to donning position. These star wheels are horizontally disposed and the teeth thereof being aligned and extending in a radial direction form pockets between adjacent teeth of each wheel in which the bobbins are carried until reaching the outer end of the plate-like surface 23. While advancing to donning position, the tip of the lead bobbin depresses a spring biased finger 32 (FIG.

' bers 48, 49, and 50. A first or driving end of the feeder;

2) and as said bobbin leaves surface 23, the return of said finger 32 to its initial position provides an added downwardly directed force on the bobbin assisting in the impaling thereof on its respective spindle. Star wheel is situated so as to guide and control that portion of the bobbin adjacent its tip and wheel 31 is so disposed as to function in a likemanner on that portion of the bobbin above and adjacent its butt portion.

The uppermost end of shaft 13 is provided with a knob 33 to permit manual rotation of said shaft.

The means utilized to rotate shaft 13 and advance the bobbins during the intended function of the machine in cludes a ratchet type clutch generally indicated by numeral 34 assembled to the lower end of shaft 13 with a horizontally disposed star wheel 35 fixedly attached to the underside of said clutch. When the donning mechanism is in operating position as depicted in FIG. 1, the pockets formed between the radiallyexending teeth of the star wheel35 are adapted to receive the blade portion of the spindles. As the donning unit is advanced along the rail of spindles, the star wheel when contacting each spindle is caused to rotate much in the same manner, as a pinion would that is being moved along the length of a rack gear. This motion rotates shaft 13 and star wheels 30 and 31, being fixedly attached thereto, advance the bobbins 25 individually to donning position.

The ratchet type clutch 34 serves as a safety factor in the event of a bobbin jamming condition which through continued movement of the machine could 'be hazardous to the bobbins as Well as the spindles themselves with which the mechanism is adapted to cooperate. The ratchetclutch is of known construction having a circular top portion 36 which is fixedly attached to shaft 13 by any suitable means such as key or set screws. The underside of the top portion is provided with a plurality of downwardly directed ratchet teeth 37 which are adapted to seat in recesses 38 of conforming configuration (FIG. 3) provided on the upper surface of the lower portion of the clutch which is depicted by numeral 39. The lower portion of the clutch 39 is spring biased in the direction of the upper portion 36 by means of a coil spring 40 (FIG. 3) which encircles shaft 13 Within an axially disposed counter bore 41 provided on the underside of said lower portion 39.

V Shaft 13 at its lowermost endis necked as at 42 and is adapted to receive a collar 43 thereon which is fixedly attached by any suitable means and is effective in maintaining the lower portion of the clutch in position and under a predetermined amount of tension of spring 40. In normal operating position the ratchet teeth 37 of the upper portion 36 of the clutch are seated in the recesses 38 of the clutchs lower portion 39 and form a positive driving means between the star Wheel 35 and shaft 13. In th event of malfunction of the donning mechanism such as a jamming of the bobbins, the. s ar whe whe g ging the next spindle will cause the lower portion of the clutch to rotate forcing the ratchet teeth out of recesses 38 (FIG. 3). This movement has no effect on shaft 13 and after the jamming conditionhas been corrected the star wheel may be turned in one direction or the other to place the clutch members into driving relation for continned-operation. a p

The mechanism according to the invention for continuously urging the bobbins within the reservoir toward donning position includes a bobbin feed wheel 44 rotatably mounted at the free end of a pivotable and spring biased feeder arm support bracket generally indicated in FIG. 1 by numeral 45. This feeder arm support is composed of opposing strip members 46 and 47 that are interconnected intermediate the ends thereof withrweb memarm support is provided with opposing integrally formed hub members 51 and 52 having aligned apertures through which shaft 13 is caused to extend. 'These hub members are disposed intermediate star wheels 30 and 31, and also permit pivotable movement of the support to and away from the bobbin reservoir. The feeder arm support itself extends rearwardly for a portion of its length and thence obliquely upward for the remainder of its length and terminates with opposing hub members 53 and 54. The bobbin feed wheel 44 having an integrally formed pulley member 55 assembles for rotary movement on a pin 56 the ends of which are fixedly positioned within aligned apertures provided in the hub members 53 and 54.

A drive pulley 57 is secured to shaft 13 intermediate the opposing hub members 51 and 52 and being rotatable with said shaft, it is effective in causing the feed wheel 44 to rotate in a like manner'by means of an endless driving belt 58 which connects the drive pulley 57 with pulley member 55. To compensate for the shape of the feeder arm support, idler pulleys 59 (one only shown in a FIG. 1) are supported for rotary movement by a pin 60 which is suitably attached to web member 49.

A cover or shield 61 conforming generally to the shape of the feeder arm support fits over the latter and is secured thereto by means of screws 62 and 63.

The biasing force for maintaining the feed wheel in.

contact with the shank portion of the bobbins ,within'the reservoir includes a rearwardly extending bar member 64 one end of which is attached to the underside ofthe feeder arm support bracket 45 by means of cap screws 65 and 66. As stated above bar member 64 extends rearwardly and terminates in the form of a hook 67 (FIG. 4).

A coil spring 68 having one end thereof held by hook 67 extends in a lateral direction with respect to bar member 64 and the opposite end thereof attaches to a laterally extending pin 69 that is fixedly attached to plate member 11. Spring 68 assembles under tension and is efiective in maintaining contact between the outer periphery of the feed wheel 44 and the barrel portion of the bobbins 25 7 within the reservoir. V

In operation, the donning mechanism is advanced along the rail of a spinning frame which supports a row of spindles and the meshing of each successive spindle within the pockets formed between the radially extending teeth of the star wheel 35 causes the latter to rotate in ,a clockwise direction as seen looking from the top thereof. This motion is transmitted to shaft 13 through the ratchet type clutch 34 and star wheels 30 and 31, 'being secured to function of the donning mechanism, it is effective in providing a continuous force acting upon the bobbins to urge them toward the donning position.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. For a bobbin donning mechanism having in combination a reservoir of bobbins in which said bobbins are gravity fed to a donning position, a bobbin feeding means for constantly urging said bobbins downwardly in said reservoir to said donning position, said bobbin feeding means including a continuously rotating feed wheel adapted to peripherally engage the bobbins and interconnected with and adapted to function in conjunction with said donning mechanism, and tensioning means for forcing said feed wheel into contact with said bobbins.

2. For a bobbin donning mechanism having in combination a reservoir of bobbins in which said bobbins are gravity fed to a donning position, a bobbin feeding means for urging said bobbins downwardly in said reservoir to said donning position, said bobbin feeding means including a feeder arm spring biased in the direction of said reservoir, a bobbin feed wheel disposed at one end of said feeder arm with driving means for continuously rotating said feed wheel thereby continually urging said bobbins in the direction of said donning position.

3. For a bobbin donning mechanism having in combination a reservoir of bobbins in which said bobbins are gravity fed to a donning position, a bobbin feeding means for urging said bobbins downwardly in said reservoir to said donning position, said bobbin feeding means including a pivotable and spring biased feeder arm and a rotatable feed wheel supported on said arm, said arm being biased in the direction of said reservoir for maintaining contact between a portion of the outer periphery of said feed wheel and said bobbins, a driving means including pulley members and a driving belt interconnecting said feed Wheel with said donning mechanism thereby providing constant rotation of said feed wheel for continually urging said bobbins to said donning position.

References Cited by the Examiner V UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,077,725 2/1963 Du Buis et al. 57-53 3,121,988 2/1964 Cugini 57-53 3,164,946 1/ 1965 Du Buis et al. 5753 3,189,220 6/1965 Mullaney 221-176 3,206,065 9/1965 Netta 221237 FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner. A. J. SIDOTI, JOHN PETRAKES, Assistant Examiners. 

1. FOR A BOBBIN DONNING MECHANISM HAVING IN COMBINATION A RESERVOIR OF BOBBINS IN WHICH SAID BOBBINS ARE GRAVITY FED TO A DONNING POSITION, A BOBBIN FEEDING MEANS FOR CONSTANTLY URGING SAID BOBBINS DOWNWARDLY IN SAID RESERVOIR TO SAID DONNING POSITION, SAID BOBBIN FEEDING MEANS INCLUDING A CONTINUOUSLY ROTATING FEED WHEEL ADAPTED TO PERIPHERALLY ENGAGE THE BOBBINS AND INTERCONNECTED WITH AND ADAPTED TO FUNCTION IN CONJUNCTION WITH SAID DONNING MECHANISM, AND TENSIONING MEANS FOR FORCING SAID FEED WHEEL INTO CONTACT WITH SAID BOBBINS. 